Egypt's president has ordered the creation of a committee to tackle "sectarian incidents" just days after an explosion killed three tourists and their Egyptian guide.
The decision by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, reported by the official gazette, follows major efforts by the state to stop strings of militant attacks targeting the country's Coptic Christian minority, security forces and foreign tourists.
The body is to be headed by Mr El Sisi's security and counterterrorism adviser, currently ex-Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar.
The new committee, tasked with "developing a general strategy to prevent and confront sectarian incidents", will include representatives from security and intelligence agencies as well as the country's top anti-corruption body.
Mr El Sisi's decision takes effect Monday, ahead of Egypt's Coptic Christmas celebrations on January 7.
Egypt's Christians make up roughly 10 per cent of the country's mostly Muslim population.
They have long complained of discrimination and sectarian violence intermittently erupts, especially in rural areas in the country's south.
The embattled Christian minority has been targeted by a series of deadly attacks over the past two years, the majority claimed by ISIS.
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Read more:
Sinai offensive helping reduce Egypt attacks but Copts still targeted
Tourist bus attack hits Egypt at a critical time
Egypt's ancient Coptic community rattled by bishop murder saga
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Earlier in December, two Coptic Christians were shot dead by a Muslim church security guard following a verbal dispute in the governorate of Minya.
Last year, attacks in Alexandria and Tanta targeted Coptic churches on Palm Sunday, killing 47 and injuring more than 120. It was the latest in a series of church bombings that have killed over 100 Egyptian Christians since December 2016.
The Egyptian military and police deploy en masse around Coptic sites ahead of key religious holidays in an effort to prevent attacks and reassure the community.
The army is also waging an all-out battle against extremist groups – including ISIS – in the vast Sinai Desert. While experts have said that the security situation has improved since the start of the battle, there have still been attacks.
There have been accusations that some incidents haven’t been prevented due to complacency. Some Christians complained that police stopped providing armed escorts for pilgrims’ buses on their way to the St Samuel the Confessor Monastery south of Cairo as they did in the immediate aftermath of an attack on the road in May 2017 that killed 29. Then, in November, seven more pilgrims were gunned down on the road – including six members of the same family.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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The specs
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Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
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2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
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5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
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Emirates airline – 600555555
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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